Monarch Academy public charter schools are tuition-free public charter schools that aim to educate Maryland students to be self-motivated, creative, critical thinkers and life-long learners who are productive contributors to the global community in the 21 st century. At Monarch Academy, children are encouraged to think critically; question; reflect; and participate in a rigorous, highly interactive instructional program that integrates arts and technology across the curriculum.

Q1. What is Monarch Academy?

Monarch Academy is a public charter school serving Anne Arundel County families with children in kindergarten through eighth grade. Utilizing the proven principles of Transformation Education (TranZed), the school establishes a culture that treats each student as an individual and prepares them to be successful in the 21st century. Monarch Academy emphasizes high expectations for academic achievement, character development, an integration of the arts, and a focus on teaching contextual thinking and creative problem solving.

Q2. What is a public charter school?

Public charter schools are independent, tuition-free, publicly funded schools that are open to all students regardless of testing or screening. Charter schools follow the same laws and regulations as all public schools. However, they provide families with more educational choices so that parents can choose to send their child to a school that has an instructional approach that best fits with the way their child learns.

Q3. What is Transformation Education (TranZed)?

TranZed is an organizational philosophy that guides the creation of a school culture designed to transmit the values and life skills necessary for a successful life. The basic premise of this philosophy is that life is a journey of personal growth and enlightenment that comes from the continuous struggle and search for meaningful responses to life’s challenges. TranZed embraces the journey experience of the student and incorporates it into the school’s culture by aligning the school’s beliefs and values with the look of the school building, the school’s instructional approach, the mindset and behavior of the teaching staff, and the school’s operating systems.

Q4. What is Expeditionary Learning?

Monarch Academy has integrated the Expeditionary Learning (EL) model for active learning, character growth and student teamwork. Students spend much of their academic day involved in learning expeditions, which are single-topic, in-depth studies that engage students in comprehensive research, hands-on learning experiences and unique presentations that draw on people in the community who will expose students to how what they are learning in school is applied to real life. Learn more about Expeditionary Learning.

Q5. What is the cost to attend Monarch Academy?

There is no tuition cost as this is a public charter school. Like all other public schools in Anne Arundel County.

Q6. What are the hours of the school day at Monarch Academy?

Q7. How do I enroll my child into Monarch Academy?

Parents must fill out an online enrollment application to Monarch Academy. If the number of applications exceeds the school’s capacity, a lottery will be held. Once a student is enrolled in Monarch Academy, he/she does not need to apply again for subsequent years at the school.

Q8. How many students will be in a class?

Depending on the grade, 20 to 28 students per classroom. To help maintain appropriate teacher-to-student ratios, kindergarten through second grade will each have a maximum of 22 students per class; grades third and fourth will have a maximum of 25 and grades fifth through eighth will have a maximum of 28 students per class.

Q9. What is a typical day like at Monarch Academy?

Students begin the day with a morning meeting; engage in workshop-like classes for core subjects; and participate in enrichment classes such as art, physical education, music and computers. Students will participate in learning expeditions throughout the school year, bringing together research and application to real-world issues.

Q10. Does my child have to be gifted and talented to attend the Monarch Academy?

No, children with varying levels of academic achievement are accepted into Monarch Academy.

Q11. If my child has special needs, is Monarch Academy for him or her?

Monarch Academy will implement all services as determined by a student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Monarch Academy’s school environment offers a full continuum of IEP services through reading and math specialists, special education teachers, and an IEP coordinator who assures compliance with the goals set in each student’s IEP.

Q12. Does Monarch Academy have art and music programs?

Absolutely. Art and music are key components of our instructional approach and integrated into the curriculum.

Q13. What type of technology will my child be exposed to at Monarch Academy?

Each classroom is equipped with a SMART Board and individual computer learning stations. Students will be taught technology skills including word processing, media presentations and digital photography. They also will have access to software packages that accelerate learning.

Q14. What are the venues for parent-teacher communications?

A parent representative of each grade is invited to participate in a parent advisory group, and a parent-teacher-student association (PTSA) will enhance parent-teacher communication. The school administration and faculty will maintain communication through a number of different venues including newsletters, email, personal phone calls and individual conferences.

Q15. What are your teacher education requirements?

All faculty assigned to core academic subjects—including art, music, elementary, English, foreign languages, math, reading and language arts, science and social studies—must hold a valid teaching certificate (or be eligible to obtain one from the Maryland State Department of Education) and be highly qualified. While a master’s degree is preferred, it is not required.

Q16. How is Monarch Academy different than my community public school?

While Monarch Academy is a public school, it offers an innovative approach to learning by placing a strong emphasis on the integration of the arts and technology throughout the curriculum as well as engaging students in hands-on application of academics and social skills to everyday problems encountered in family life, groups, organizations, communities, the United States and throughout the world.

Q17. What transportation does Monarch Academy offer?

Bus transportation will be available to students depending on where they live. Students outside a two-mile radius around Monarch Academy will be picked up at “cluster sites.” Students within a two-mile radius must be provided with their own transportation. If a transportation hardship exists, Monarch Academy will work with families to find a solution to the problem.

Q18. Does Monarch Academy provide breakfast and lunch?

Monarch Academy serves breakfast and lunch daily according to the fees established by Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Students also may bring their lunch from home. Applications for the federal school lunch program will be available at registration, and those who qualify will receive breakfast and lunch for free or at a reduced cost.

Q19. Do the students wear uniforms?

Yes. Research indicates that schools using uniforms have a stronger school culture and students perform better. We encourage our students to dress for success. Boys will wear navy blue polo shirts and khaki pants, and girls will wear short- or long-sleeved navy blue blouses/polo shirts with khaki pants or skirts. We will provide more information about school uniforms at our registration conferences. Find out more information about uniforms.

Q20. After attending Monarch Academy, will my child be able to transfer into a regular public high school?

Yes, Monarch Academy is a public school and designed so, upon leaving, students can seamlessly transition to any other public school.